Materialism (aka Non-materialists in denial)

[Yahweh]

Good to see you, Ian.

 

[Yahweh]

Originally posted by Interesting Ian
Yahwah just seems to be echoing Stimpson J Cat's arguments on the jref board. Stimpson specifically stated to me the smell of a fart does not exist. Go
http://host.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25726&highlight=primary

In fact I am "echoing" the statements, I find them very intelligent and well thoughtout.

The point is that Stimpson is differenciating between sensations which occur in the "mind" and things which exist concretely.

Sensations (the smell of a fart) do not exist concretely (i.e. Sensations are not substances, they are not made of matter or exist in 3 dimensional space).

 

[Canute]

Originally posted by Yahweh
The point is that Stimpson is differenciating between sensations which occur in the "mind" and things which exist concretely.

Sensations (the smell of a fart) do not exist concretely (i.e. Sensations are not substances, they are not made of matter or exist in 3 dimensional space). [/B]

It seems that from the pong of the humble fart we know that there exist things which are not made of matter and do not have extension. This is the problem with strict physicalism, it leaves things out.

 

[Zero]

Originally posted by Yahweh
In fact I am "echoing" the statements, I find them very intelligent and well thoughtout.

The point is that Stimpson is differenciating between sensations which occur in the "mind" and things which exist concretely.

Sensations (the smell of a fart) do not exist concretely (i.e. Sensations are not substances, they are not made of matter or exist in 3 dimensional space).

Ummmm...I'd have to disagree with that...odors are carried by chemicals in the air(physical) which go though the air(physical) until they reach your (physical) nose, where they cause a chemical reaction which sends a (physical) signal to your brain(which is also physical).

Where is there a non-physical event in this?

 

[Zero]

Originally posted by Interesting Ian
Because that's a ridiculous definition. Science cannot define physical because science has nothing to say on the subject of metaphysics. Besides, science is not a conscious entity so how could science define anything? If you mean scientists, then I'm afraid they are failing to understand what the word material or physical means.

Since no one else can define metaphysics, let alone measure it, what can you do?

 

[Canute]

Originally posted by Zero
Ummmm...I'd have to disagree with that...odors are carried by chemicals in the air(physical) which go though the air(physical) until they reach your (physical) nose, where they cause a chemical reaction which sends a (physical) signal to your brain(which is also physical).

Where is there a non-physical event in this?

Umm, the smell?

 

[Canute]

Originally posted by Zero
Since no one else can define metaphysics, let alone measure it, what can you do?

It's perfectly easy to define metaphysics. It's the study of what lies beyond science.